Craigslist - People Flagging Ads

[Rick63]

Does anyone know if there is a way to stop people from flagging ads that are perfectly legal by their rules?

I've been trying to list an item for a couple of hours and someone has flagged it 3 times, and needless to say I'm pissed off. I looked and couldn't find a way to contact anyone at Craigslist to see if they could help. Though I don't often sell on Craigslist, I've never had this happen before.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Ogoript]

Are you sure it's posted correctly? I often flag people and they have no idea that they were posting a washing machine in the photo video section (as an example).

 

[Rick63]

Are you sure it's posted correctly? I often flag people and they have no idea that they were posting a washing machine in the photo video section (as an example).

I am 100% sure.

Here it is again, before they flag it again.

 

[Ogoript]

Then they don't believe your price or posting is legit (photos are stock possibly or some kind of phrase that makes them think its a fake post) or which I have seen before, they have competing items listed. I also believe that Keywords added to your post are not allowed. Most people don't care about the keywords but some people are militant.

 

[Rick63]

Oh, and it also belongs in a thread here titled "what items have you purchased despite the review here".

 

[Ogoript]

Looks fine to me. Did you add any Keywords at the bottom?

 

[Rick63]

Then they don't believe your price or posting is legit (photos are stock possibly or some kind of phrase that makes them think its a fake post) or which I have seen before, they have competing items listed. I also believe that Keywords added to your post are not allowed. Most people don't care about the keywords but some people are militant.

I didn't use any keywords or stock photos, and even posted a picture of the receipt to prove what I paid.

I know what I'm doing. I've sold tons of electronic and musical equipment in my time, just not much on Craigslist.

 

[Rick63]

I considered listing it here but figured nobody would be interested if they've read the review.

It is on US Audiomart but I wanted to list it locallly as well.

 

[Beave]

I could be wrong,, but my understanding is that it takes flagging from several different locations (IP addresses?) in order for a listing to be removed. Craigslist won't tell exactly how the flagging system works.

Over the years, I have flagged countless obvious scam listings on Craigslist, and only one or two of them actually got removed. I guess not enough other people were flagging them.

For yours to get removed so quickly, it's possible somebody is flagging them repeatedly, each time using a different IP address.

 

[Rick63]

People suck.

So far after nearly an hour it is still listed. I'm hoping it isn't simply because the suspect has gone to bed...

 

[kemmler3D]

I've rarely had anything flagged (and removed) on there, and the only times I've flagged something it's because I believed it was fake or improperly categorized, or they used spammy keywords.

That said, I agree that someone with a competing listing might do it maliciously. Otherwise, hard to figure out why someone might do it.

If you haven't created an account and logged in, that might help?

 

[JSmith]

Sounds automated to me tbh... unless it something like flagging bots or coordinated flagging groups.

Unfortunately there’s no live support, no appeals team, and no clear way to dispute a flag.


JSmith

 

[Rick63]

I've rarely had anything flagged (and removed) on there, and the only times I've flagged something it's because I believed it was fake or improperly categorized, or they used spammy keywords.

That said, I agree that someone with a competing listing might do it maliciously. Otherwise, hard to figure out why someone might do it.

If you haven't created an account and logged in, that might help?

I was thinking the same thing, however in my local area nobody has anything similar listed, and it's also a terrible area for those looking for electronics. You have to search/drive about 100 miles from here to Rochester or Syracuse to find lots of electronics listings.

There are a ton of folks there who have multiple listings for electronics, mostly people trying to make a fortune off vintage gear that wasn't very good 40 years ago when new.

 

[Rick63]

It's been removed again. Poop.

I'm just going to give up for now, and give it some time on US Audiomart. I've had good luck over the years selling on Audiogon, US Audiomart, and Sweetwater's Gear Exchange.

 

[Beave]

Wow. Definitely makes me think one person, for some reason, is flagging it from multiple IP addresses.

 

[Rick63]

Wow. Definitely makes me think one person, for some reason, is flagging it from multiple IP addresses.

Perhaps they are selling the same or a similar receiver on Facebook Marketplace.

I'll never know because I do not nor will I ever join Facebook or any other social media platform. The only form of social media I use is this and a couple of other forums.

 

[G|force]

About a year ago I tried to sell a Crane Song Avocet monitor controller on CL and it was taken down within an hour. None of the posting rules were violated; it seemed arbitrary.
I didn't pursue it further.

 

[Rick63]

I've flagged a few listings on Craigslist myself.

The two I remember most are where one guy keeps posting a bunch of nice smaller campers in excellent condition that would be worth thousands of dollars, and he always lists them at $800. He also was in a different state altogether. He comes back every now and then to try again but his posts are flagged immediately.

The other is a pretty well known guy on the internet (can't remember his name) that is always trying to rip people off with (mostly) McIntosh gear. He doesn't give up when his posts are flagged, he just posts in other areas of the country.

 

[JSmith]

Audiogon, US Audiomart, and Sweetwater's Gear Exchange

Surely these are better options anyway... I mean CL is a hotbed for scammers.


JSmith

 

[Rick63]

Surely these are better options anyway... I mean CL is a hotbed for scammers.


JSmith

Oh I agree. I just wanted to try and sell locally to save shipping if possible and maybe get lucky with a quick sale. I'm not too worried about selling it as I've sold pretty much everything I've ever listed (usually within a short period of time, and I've always had 100% positive feedback at those places.

The biggest problem I've had (especially at Sweetwater's Gear Exchange) has been people being happy and thanking me in a message, but never leaving feedback.